TRAVEL INFO: THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA

THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA

In 2001, I was with the Staff of The Institution of Engineers Malaysia was on a staff trip to Beijing, China. Before coming to China, the one thing I knew was I had to see the Great Wall. When I was still in school, I studied Chinese history and saw photos of the Great Wall in a history book, without thinking that one day I would be standing on that great wall.

Seen from the high, the Great Wall looks rather like a vast, twisting, sprawled -out snake, stretching away over hills and valleys until it dissapear over the horizon.

When you set eye on it, you'll see that it is like a stone snake, a mythical deathless creature, like the legendary dragon which became in China the symbol of the imperial power of the Ch'in, Han dan Ming Dynasty of the country's ruler.

The journey by road from out hotel at Beijing, around 60 km passing through Qing He, Shu He and Chang Ping, 3 cities to the northwest of the Chinese capital. We stopped by for a lunch at Mutianyu, immerse ourselves deep in history and natural scenery with our knowledgeable English-speaking tourist guide. Enjoying our lunch at the best Arabian Restaurant served with traditional dance.

On the way, out tourist guide, who is a graduate in History of China, told us that the Great Wall was not the name of the Wall in Chinese, but "Wan Li cheng" or the "Wall of the Ten Thousand Li". The Li in as Chinese unit of measurement equal to 625 of our metres, or approximately a third of a mile, Ten thousand Li thus equals to 6250 km.

Now that I realised that the Chinese often use very simple, poetic terms for naming the places, mountains, rivers, lakesand cities in their country. They often express concepts like tranquility and supreme harmony as well as north, south, east and west, plants, flowers or animals.

The Great Wall was built by Emperor Qin Shi Huang Di (221-206 BC). Emperor Shi Huang Di succeeded in uniting China for the first time in its history. He proclaimed himself as the first emperor of China. Then he had the Great Wall built to protect China from the nomads to the north.

However the Great Wall that we see today is not the orginal Great Wall of Shi Huang Di, it were primarily built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). For information, the Ming Dynasty was a dynasty that was contemporary with the glorious era of the Malay Sultanate of Melaka.

My experience as the Great Wall as awesome, really looking great and unforgettable. The fact that you can walk on a very large piece of history, as well as one of the Wonder of the World. There were lots of battles recorded on this Great Wall. It is full of memories, tears, blood, witnessed the strong will of survival in this land.

The panoramic views from the wall are stunning and unforgettable, with the wall snaking through the landscape.

One of the facts about the Great Wall of China that surprises many people is that it isn't just one long structure, but instead an amalgamation of many fortifications. And, of all the sections of the Great Wall of China, the most iconic was built by the Ming Dynasty.

Knowing that there were many more points in which you could walk the Great Wall of China was s powerful thought. I remembered that it actually runs right up to the North Korean Border at Dandong, Liaoning province, my mind almost buckled with the concept. To understand what I mean you need to go walk it.

HUSHAN GREAT WALL - NEAR THE BORDER OF NORTH KOREA

Visiting the Great Wall of China offers a range of experiences, from breathtaking views and rewarding hikes to unique cultural immersion and historical insights. The specific experience varies depending on the section of the wall chosen and the activities undertaken. Common experiences include hiking, photography, enjoying panoramic views, and learning about the wall's history.

A well-known quote about the Great Wall of China is "不去长城 非好汉" (Bù qù chángchéng fēi hǎohàn), which translates to "He who has not climbed the Great Wall is not a true man," according to a quote attributed to Chairman Mao. This saying emphasizes the significance of visiting and conquering the Great Wall as a rite of passage for men in Chinese culture.

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, K.L

10 August 2025: 9.19 p.m